Hi, my name is Christen Manari. I currently work at Derry Township SD (aka as Hershey) as the Instructional Technology Coach (K-8). Prior to this position, I worked in the classroom at Derry Township for 6 years. During that time, I gained experience in Special Education, Kindergarten, Second and Third grades. I also worked for a year at Palmyra Area SD as the Instructional Technology Coach (K-5). I have a Master’s in Educational Development & Strategies through Wilkes University. I am currently working towards earning my ITSC (Instructional Technology Specialist Certification) through Temple Universtiy.

My love and passion for technology in the classroom all started about three years ago when I decided to incorporate my personal iPad into my daily instruction. In March of 2012, I co-wrote and received a grant from the CAIU 15 (Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15) to pilot 7 iPads in my second grade classroom. Going into the new year knowing I would have these devices, I began thinking about how to best use this technology to not only engage students but to also showcase their accomplishments. That is when the inspiration came to me to bring my Apple TV into the classroom and train my students how to use it. It was amazing to see the ease, excitement, engagement and seamless transitions that came from integrating this device into the classroom with the iPads.
Since the success of the iPads and Apple TV in my classroom, I have had the opportunity to present, for the past two years, two different sessions at the CAIU iPad Summit, and I have also presented a few sessions at PETE & C on the topic of Using iPads and an Apple TV in the Elementary Classroom. I continuously support my colleagues and run trainings on the use of iPads and Apple TV’s in the classroom.

I enjoy learning the latest and greatest ways to seamlessly incorporate these devices in the classroom and sharing any new discoveries with others. I look forward to working with you and supporting you anyway possible.